How to Refinance Your Personal Loan in 7 Steps

Refinancing a personal loan can save you money by lowering your interest rate or monthly payments. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

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1. Review Your Credit and Finances

• Check Your Credit Reports: Your credit score is crucial in determining the interest rate on your new loan. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to access your credit reports and ensure all information is accurate.
• Boost Your Credit: If you find errors, dispute them with the relevant credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). Also, look for quick ways to improve your credit score before applying for refinancing.
• Assess Your Budget: Review your monthly income and expenses to determine how much you can afford to pay on your new loan.

2. Identify the Loan Amount You Need

• Determine Your Payoff Amount: Contact your current lender to get the exact payoff amount for your existing loan.
• Consider Additional Borrowing: Decide if you want to borrow extra funds for other expenses, such as paying off credit card debt or covering unexpected costs.
• Account for Fees: Keep in mind that some lenders may deduct origination fees from your loan amount, which could affect how much cash you receive.

3. Shop Around and Collect Quotes

• Pre-Qualify: Many lenders offer pre-qualification through a soft credit check, allowing you to see potential loan amounts, terms, and APRs without affecting your credit score.
• Gather Multiple Quotes: Collect at least three quotes from different lenders to compare offers. Focus on lenders that cater to your credit and income profile for the best chances of approval.

4. Compare Personal Loan Quotes

• Loan Amounts: Ensure the lender offers a loan amount that meets your needs. Remember that fees like origination charges might reduce the total amount you receive.
• Monthly Payments: Compare the monthly payments to find the most affordable option for your budget.
• APR: This figure includes interest and fees, providing a more accurate comparison between loans than interest rates alone.
• Fees: Look for lenders with low or no fees, as they can significantly impact your loan’s overall cost.
• Loan Terms: Decide whether you prefer a shorter term (with higher payments but lower overall costs) or a longer term (with lower payments but higher overall costs).
• Total Cost: Calculate the total cost of the loan, including interest and fees, to identify the best deal.
• Interest Rate Type: Choose between fixed and variable rates based on your financial stability and risk tolerance.
• Funding Times: Consider how quickly you need the funds, as some lenders offer same-day deposits while others may take longer.
• Discounts: Factor in any available discounts, such as autopay discounts, that could lower your APR.
• Borrower Experience: Evaluate lenders based on customer service, account management, and overall borrower experience.

5. Get the New Loan

• Complete the Application: After selecting a lender, submit a formal application and provide necessary documentation to verify your income.
• Review the Loan Terms: Before signing, double-check that the loan terms match what you were offered during pre-qualification.
• Receive Funds: Once approved, the lender will transfer the loan amount to your bank account, often via ACH transfer.

6. Pay Off Your Existing Loan

• Direct Repayment Option: Some lenders offer to pay off your existing loan directly, which could simplify the process and potentially lower your APR.
• Manual Repayment: If your lender doesn’t offer direct repayment, use the funds from your new loan to pay off your existing loan in full.

7. Begin Repayment on Your New Loan

• Set Up Autopay: Consider enrolling in autopay to ensure on-time payments and possibly qualify for an APR discount.
• Plan for Debt Repayment: Create a strategy to pay off your new loan efficiently, reducing overall costs and improving your credit score.

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Example of Personal Loan Refinancing Savings

	Original Loan	Refinanced Loan
APR	18.00%	10.00%
Years Left	3	3
Remaining Balance	$6,000	$6,000
Monthly Payment	$217	$194
Total Cost	$7,809	$6,970

Savings: By refinancing, you save $23 per month and $830 over the remaining term.

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Advantages of Refinancing a Personal Loan

1. Lower Monthly Payments: Refinancing can reduce your monthly payment, especially if you secure a lower interest rate or extend the loan term.
2. Reduced Overall Costs: A lower interest rate can significantly decrease the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
3. Faster Payoff: Refinancing to a shorter term allows you to pay off the loan quicker and save on interest.
4. Switch to a Preferred Lender: If you’re unhappy with your current lender, refinancing lets you switch to one with better service or terms.

Disadvantages of Refinancing a Personal Loan

1. Fees: Refinancing may involve fees that reduce your overall savings, such as origination fees or prepayment penalties.
2. Higher Costs: Not all refinancing offers lead to savings; some may result in higher overall costs.
3. Credit Score Impact: The hard credit check required for refinancing can temporarily lower your credit score.
4. Stiff Eligibility Requirements: If your credit has worsened or market rates have increased, you may not qualify for a better rate.

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When to Refinance a Personal Loan

• Improved Credit: Your credit score has improved, qualifying you for a lower APR.
• Lower Interest Rates: Market interest rates have decreased since you took out your original loan.
• Rate Type Preference: You want to switch from a variable to a fixed rate for stability.
• Lower Monthly Payments Needed: Extending the loan term could help you manage cash flow.
• Dissatisfaction with Current Lender: Poor customer service or unfavorable terms with your current lender.

When to Hold Off on Refinancing

• High Fees: Prepayment penalties or origination fees may negate any savings.
• Lower Credit Scores: If your credit score has dropped, you may not qualify for a better rate.
• No Better APR: Refinancing may not make sense if you can’t secure a better APR.
• Expected Rate Drops: If interest rates are expected to fall soon, it might be better to wait